Easier models to play (in your own opinions)

[Basswave]

Hello Folks

Do anyone here find one EBMM bass easier to play then others?

I do find based after what I have tried I prefer how the Bongo plays as compared to other then via a Stingray or Sterling (I don't have enough time with a big Al) Just tried one once.

Cheers

 

[TheAntMan]

Smoothest player in my stable is my 25th followed by my Bongos then Stingray.

--Ant

 

[danny-79]

Don't no about 'easier' but defiantly nicest feeling to play, thats why i play them

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Smoothest player in my stable is my 25th followed by my Bongos then Stingray.

--Ant

WOW I was going to say exactly the same as you Ant!!

 

[five7]

My bongo 5 is amazing but so were all of the stingrays I have owned. The sterling 4 is hard for me to play. Too small of neck.

 

[Lynottfan]

Stingray with Graphite neck, so smooth its sexual

 

[strummer]

They're all wonderful players, but the rosewood necked Bongo 5 HH is just a little nicer to play

 

[oli@bass]

It's really more a question of the setup and piece of wood of the individual instruments. Even on the exact same model, some feel "easier to play" than others.

Aside from that it's down to personal preferences: I like the chunkier feel of the StingRay neck, others love the skinny Sterling neck, and many think that the Bongo neck is the best of both worlds. And then there's also differences in finish. I have a hard time getting used to gloss finished necks, because I've played 25 years or so on satin or oil & wax finished necks. Others love the feel of the gloss finish on the new Classic series.

You really have to get down and try a couple of them.


BTW, there's a ton of different combinations out there. This is a list of the 4 string variants I know of:

StingRay:

• StingRay: 21 frets, oil & wax finish, StingRay neck shape
• StingRay RW BFR: 21 frets, full rosewood neck, oil & wax finish, StingRay neck shape
• StingRay 30th: 21 frets, high gloss polyester finish, StingRay neck shape

Sterling:

• Sterling: 22 frets, oil & wax finish, thin Sterling neck shape
• Sterling RW BFR: 22 frets, full rosewood neck, oil & wax finish, thin Sterling neck shape

Bongo:

• Bongo: 24 frets, satin finish, medium Bongo neck shape
• Bongo RW BFR: 24 frets, full rosewood neck, oil & wax finish, medium Bongo neck shape

Big Al:

• Big Al: 22 frets, oil & wax finish, thin Sterling neck shape

25th Anniversary / Reflex:

• 25th Anniversary: 22 frets, oil & wax finish, medium Bongo neck shape
• Reflex: 22 frets, oil & wax finish, medium Bongo neck shape

Classic Series

• StingRay Classic: 21 frets, high gloss polyester finish, vintage frets and radius
• Sterling Classic: 22 frets, high gloss polyester finish, thin Sterling neck shape, vintage frets and radius

On the 5 string, I think that the neck shape is the same on all EBMMs except for the Classic series, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

[Chuck B]

I only own(ed) StingRays and StingRay5 and I loved them to play.

 

[Moondog]

The modern radius (11") Sterling/Big Al 4-string neck is by far the easiest to play. I have large hands and always thought the modern Ray neck was better suited but have recently changed my tune. Aforementioned neck is so comfortable and fast. Also prefer the modern radius Ray neck over the Classic's 7.5 but finished or unfinished doesn't make a difference for me (but it does impact tone IMO).